A Prescription for Ringer Problem

I could not agree more with Ruth Miller’s column on IM ringers in D League hockey (“Confronting IM Ringers,” January 28). One of my best experiences at MIT was learning to play hockey in the friendly and non-intimidating atmosphere that D League had a few years ago. These days, I assure people with no prior hockey experience that they will have fun on the ice and learn a new sport, only to watch sadly as they are skated around in circles by skaters who certainly do not fall into the D League description -- “No significant speed, has trouble turning and stopping, can’t shoot.” This past fall, I even saw the IM Hockey manager himself, surely not a D league skater, playing against my lab’s D-level team, without any restrictions. Wanting to play with your friends in a mixed beginner/advanced team is no excuse to field ringers in D League -- this is what the D-ringer leagues are for.

Everybody at MIT should have a chance to play hockey against others at his or her level. We can all do our part in making this happen:

Experienced players: Taking over D League games is unfair to everyone involved. Please think twice before jumping on the prospect of more ice time, especially if you are already playing with a higher level team.

Team captains: If you expect some higher level players might want to play with you, consider registering for D-Ringer. If you are registered in regular D, resist the temptation of allowing ringers to play in order to counter the other team’s ringers; this just creates league inflation and is likely the cause of the current situation. Instead, call the other team’s ringers and get them out of the game or place restrictions on them.

Referees: Do not wait for complaints before restricting ringers. Beginning players are often too intimidated to call out ringers. This makes them more likely to just assume they aren’t good enough and quit for good.

D League players: Do your best, enjoy hockey, and don’t be afraid to politely point out ringers to the referee and request they be restricted. Send them to play with the big kids.

Have fun, skate hard, and see you on the ice.

Nati Srebro G

[LTE]Tasteless Comic[body]
I am writing about the “Prick” comic section in the January 28th issue of The Tech. Depicting religious figures in that manner is demeaning and done in extreme poor taste. It was offensive to me, and I’m certain, to a significant number of your readers. I hope that the editors will take this concern seriously, avoid publishing such material, and at least issue some form of apology.